Ten industrial facilities in Allegheny County emitted more than 1.4 million pounds of toxics into the air in 2013 – including substances linked to cancer, birth defects, reproductive problems, heart disease and other ailments.

The Pittsburgh region has some of the worst air quality in the nation. According to a study from the University of Pittsburgh in 2013, the area ranks in the top .3% in the nation for cancer risk due to air pollution from point sources.

The Toxic Ten, along with diesel and other pollution, significantly contribute to that risk. In addition, more than 24,000 children and hundreds of thousands of adults have asthma, and the poor air quality exacerbates their respiratory issues.

It’s time for the Allegheny County Health Department to protect the health of Pittsburgh area resident by cleaning up the Toxic Ten.

Find out how close you are to one of the Toxic Ten by entering your location.